Snow fell all during the night. When the students woke that morning, the entire outside was blanketed with snow. Gris didn't want to get up and enjoy it, but Hermione and Ali dragged her out of bed.
"You'll feel better once you see it," Ali said. Gris stopped and looked out the window. They were right, it was beautiful. Everything looked so perfect covered in a fresh blanket of snow.
"Gris!" she looked down and saw Lupin standing directly under the window.
"What?" she called back.
"I came to ask if you'd forgive me. I overreacted last night. Take your points back," he called.
"You're forgiven," she replied.
"I also wanted to ask you one more thing," he said.
"What's that?"
"Will you marry me?" Ali and Hermione screamed. Gris stood, stunned.
"Wait there," she called. She pulled on her slippers and ran down the stairs in her pajamas. She burst out the door at the base of the tower and jumped into Lupin's arms.
"Is that a yes?" he asked.
"A thousand million billion times yes!" she said. They kissed and he slid the ring on her finger. It was a marquise cut diamond flanked by two rubies set in white gold. Her jaw dropped when she saw it.
"How did you ever pay for this?" she asked.
"It was my mother's. When she died, she told me to give it to my wife," he said.
"It's fabulous," she said. "I love you."
"I love you, too," he said. "Let's get you back inside before you freeze to death." He carried her back inside and brought her back up to the portrait hole. Ali and Hermione came charging out. They jumped on Gris and all three started screaming and hugging.
"We're so gonna be your bridesmaids," Ali said.
"And Ginny," Hermione added.
"I saw the most beautiful dress a few months ago,"
"You should have it here!"
"And outside, how romantic!"
"This is so exciting," Gris was overwhelmed by her friends' babbling.
"I'll leave you three to plan," Lupin said.
"Wait! We need to set a date," she said.
"Happy birthday," he said with a twinkle in his eye. He kissed her hand and left the girls alone. They went back to talking excitedly as they went into the common room. The trio came face to very stunned face with Harry and Ron. They'd heard the whole thing.
"Congratulations," Harry said.
"Thank you," Gris said slowly. Suddenly, she burst into tears.
"Don't cry, you just got engaged," Ali said.
"To what end? I'm damned either way," she said.
"No, no, I love you, Gris. I love you enough to let you marry someone else. That's what real love is, isn't it? Wanting the other person to be truly happy?" said Harry.
"So you're not angry?"
"No," he shook his head. "You belong with Lupin. He needs you more than I do. I have plenty of people who love me. He has no one. Hermione was right, who better for him to be with than you?"
"Oh, Harry," she began. She hugged him. "Thank you so much." She stepped back and looked at Ron.
"You haven't said anything," she said.
"I'm with Harry," he said. "Lupin needs you." For that moment, everything was perfect.
That evening, the Gryffindors sat quietly doing their homework. Their tranquil setting was shattered by Seamus and Dean careening into the common room like bats out of hell. They were both white as sheets.
"What happened? You look like Snape caught you doing something," Ali said.
"Werewolf…outside…tried to…chase us…" Dean gasped. Gris looked at Hermione.
"Remus didn't take his potion," she said.
"What are we gonna do?" Ron asked.
"I know," Gris said, getting up. Ron, Hermione, and Harry scrambled after her.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Following you," Ron said.
"No," Gris said flatly.
"You can't go out there alone," Hermione said.
"Fine, but if I say stay back, do exactly as I tell you," she said. They nodded. Gris led the way through the halls and outside. On the way out, she picked up the potion from his office. It didn't take long to find him. He was prowling on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He caught sight of them and charged. Gris changed quickly into a horse and kicked him. He whimpered as she chased him back. They watched as she turned her back feet to him and gave him a swift kick in the jaw. Quickly, she changed back into human form.
"Give me the goblet," Hermione handed her the goblet. Remus was coming back for another round. "If I have to change again, get back to the entrance hall. This could take a while." The trio nodded. He charged once more and Gris deftly caught him by the scruff of the neck.
"Gris, maybe you shouldn't," Hermione said. Gris ignored her cousin.
"Drink, now," she shoved his snout into the goblet. About half of it spilled into the grass, but the rest got into him either through his nose or mouth. She nearly drowned him in the process, but he was no longer dangerous. He looked up at her sullenly.
"Come on," she said. "Back to the castle." The trio still weren't sure if he was safe or not. They kept their distance. Gris walked next to him to make sure he stayed on track.
"Honestly, you should remember to take your potion," she chided him. He whined like she'd kicked him again.
"Oh hush, it's for your own good," she said. Ron stifled a laugh.
"It's not funny," Hermione said. "He could have killed her."
"I think we know who's going to wear the pants in this marriage," Harry said, looking back at them. Even Gris laughed at that. She put Lupin back in his office and they walked up to Gryffindor tower.
"I don't get one thing. How come you didn't get bitten? I thought werewolves had no control in wolf form," Hermione said.
"Don't believe everything you read," Gris said.
"Do you know something we don't?" Ron asked.
"Fear," she replied. "Werewolves can smell fear just like vampires. If you're not scared, they're less likely to attack. I've dealt with worse things than a werewolf."
"Oh," they said. Gris entered the portrait hole, followed by her companions. She went up to bed and Sirius, who had joined them in putting up Lupin, went with her. She would have to explain it all to Remus in the morning.
A wet, pink tongue woke Gris the next morning. She popped open an eye and Sirius was standing over her, wagging his tail.
"Thanks," she grumbled. He barked and hopped off the bed. Gris pulled on her uniform and work robe. She yawned as she followed Sirius down the stairs.
"Are you awake?" Ali asked, looking at her friend.
"Nope," Gris replied. "My little furry alarm clock woke me up." Sirius looked very pleased with himself. Ali laughed.
At breakfast, Lupin beckoned Gris to the teachers' table. She kneeled next to his chair.
"What happened last night?" he asked.
"You didn't drink your potion, so I force fed you," she answered.
"And I didn't bite you?" he said.
"No," replied Gris. "Why would I be afraid of you?"
"Everybody is," he said.
"Not me, I got my throat ripped out by a vampire last year. Not much scares me," she said. Lupin looked disturbed.
"Right, I forgot," he said. "What does scare you?" She smiled.
"You already know the answer to that," she got up and kissed him on the forehead before she went back to the Gryffindor table. The whole school saw. It went from the usual roar of conversation to complete silence. Gris just strutted back to her seat as if nothing had happened.
"Doing a little extra credit, Granger?" Malfoy yelled.
"Bring it on," she replied.
"Maybe I will," he said.
"Maybe you don't have the balls for it," she shot back. Everyone gasped.
"That's it," he whipped out his wand and pointed it at her.
"Expelliarmus," Gris yelled and his wand flew into her hand. She smirked. Everyone waited for Draco's reaction. Dumbledore made no move to stop them. In fact, no one moved at all.
"Come on, Malfoy. You aren't scared of a girl, are you? Or is Daddy going to have to fight for you?" she taunted. Draco's face reddened and he charged her. Gris ducked and he went flying across the Gryffindor table. She climbed over the table and pointed her wand at his nose as he scrambled to get up. He dropped back hard on the floor.
"I could kill you right now, before anyone even knew what I was doing. However, that would make me no better than you lot of murderous Death Eaters. Instead, I will allow you to live for a price. You are in my debt. If I require a favor, you will give it to me, got it?" she hissed as she leaned over him. He swallowed hard and gave a slow nod. She retracted her wand and held out her hand. Everyone watched with bated breath. He took her hand and she helped him up. She returned his wand. As he brushed by her, he whispered.
"This doesn't make us friends,"
"Like I'd want to be, "she replied through her teeth. She sat back down at the table.
"What'd you say to him?" Ron asked eagerly.
"I told him I could kill him right then, but instead I was gonna let him live. He owes me now," she replied. Their jaws dropped.
"You have him in your debt?" Hermione said.
"Part of being an Auror is knowing how to get them working for you. Malfoy's just a big chicken. He hides behind his daddy, whom I could kick the crap out of with one foot," she answered. "However, the little rat practically runs Slytherin. That could come in handy later."
"Nice to have friends in low places," Harry said.
"Or at least minions," Gris grinned.
Since it was Monday, Gris could go with her three young friends to their Potions class. As they walked through the halls and down the stairs, Gris suddenly reeled backwards. A splitting pain shot from her nose up to between her eyes. She heard frantic screaming and a high pitched laugh. Then, just as suddenly as the vision hit, it was gone.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked, holding Gris' elbow. She took a few deep breaths and stared at them.
"Run, do not walk, to Potions," she said. They stared blankly at her.
"Go!" They took off down the corridor and Gris took out her wand. She walked back up to the main level. That's when she saw him.
"Peter Pettigrew," she said. "I never thought I'd see you again." He jumped and whipped around to look at Gris.
"Gris, so nice to see you," he said.
"Trust me, you'll wish you hadn't. Where is he?" she demanded.
"Who?"
"Don't fuck with me or I'll kill you. Where is he?" she repeated, pointing her wand at his throat. "If you don't talk in thirty seconds, I'll let Remus and Sirius finish what they started three years ago."
"He's in the Forest. He had me come in to check," he said.
"Check for what?"
"Potter," he replied.
"And that's where I come in. You and he will have to get through me first," she said.
"I should hardly think that would be difficult," Gris knew that voice. It was the high hiss of her father, Lord Voldemort. He'd come up behind Pettigrew, looking very snakelike.
"I'm sure the rest of the world thinks you're very scary, but it doesn't work so well on me," she said.
"Cocky, just like I was. Tell me, little one, does anyone ever tell you that you're remarkably like I was at your age?" he asked.
"No," Gris replied flatly.
"I'm sure those who knew me have thought it sometimes. No one can forget Slytherin green eyes," he said. He reached out to touch her face, but she pulled back.
"Either get out of here or I'm going to kill you," she said. He laughed, the laugh she had heard in her vision.
"We'll meet again, young one. Blood ties are not so easily severed," he said. "Wormtail!" Pettigrew skittered next to Voldemort and they disappeared back into the Forest. Gris felt her shoulders slump. Why hadn't she killed him when she had the chance? She felt her energy drip out of her like blood from a wound. Unconsciously, she fell to her knees and sat back on her feet. Thoughts were beginning to jumble in her head. She was tired, very tired.